Newsome delivers clutch winner as Meralco fends off Blackwater rally

3 days ago

When Meralco needed one final play, the ball found Chris Newsome.

The veteran guard calmly sank the game-winning jumper with 3.9 seconds left to lift the Bolts to a thrilling 116-114 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

After Chris Banchero found him on the decisive possession, Newsome knocked down the clutch basket that snapped a 114-all deadlock and rescued Meralco after its once-commanding lead had completely evaporated.

Blackwater still had an opportunity to force overtime or steal the win, but RK Ilagan lost possession when the ball bounced off his foot and rolled into the backcourt before time expired.

Newsome finished with 16 points, saving the Bolts after they watched an 18-point fourth-quarter cushion disappear.

"They had no quit," Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said of the Bossing. "That's a testament to what Coach Pat {Aquino} has been doing. They're playing really well. You have to give credit to Blackwater."

"Good thing that we were able to shoot that last shot on that pass to New. But again, you credit Blackwater," he added.

Antonio Hester continued his strong run with Meralco, finishing with 25 points and 12 rebounds to help the Bolts improve to 2-1 since his arrival. Banchero also scored 16 points while handing out four assists, CJ Cansino added 15 points, and Cliff Hodge chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.

Despite securing the win, Banchero admitted Meralco has plenty to clean up after nearly letting the game slip away.

"Being up by 18 points and crumbling is not what we want to do as a team. We'll work on that next practice," he said. "But you gotta give them credit. They're a tough team, they're aggressive. It's not easy. They're playing well."

Blackwater showed its resilience by storming back behind Sedrick Barefield, Kentrell Barkley, and Ilagan. Barefield erupted for a game-high 29 points, Barkley tallied 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Ilagan finished with 20 points, including the tying baskets with 1:31 remaining.

The comeback ultimately fell just short as Newsome's late heroics handed the Bossing their first loss of the conference, dropping them to 2-1.

Meralco will try to make it three straight wins when it faces Magnolia on Friday, while Blackwater looks to rebound against Barangay Ginebra. Phoenix remains the only unbeaten team in Group B at 3-0, with the Bolts and Bossing tied for second at 2-1.